Hydraulic pump/motor flange cover adapted to prevent contamination, machine surface damage and corrosion

ABSTRACT

A pulp paper formed flange cover is provided. The pulp paper flange cover is adapted for protecting hydraulic motor/pump housing ports and openings, and surrounding surfaces. The flange cover may be infused with corrosion-preventive chemicals to protect the housing from corrosion. Additionally, the flange cover protects the housing surface from damage while preventing infiltration of the openings of the housing by contaminants.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/840,708, filed 30 Apr. 2019, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hydraulic pump and motor accessories and, more particularly, to a hydraulic pump and motor flange cover adapted to prevent contamination, machine surface damage and corrosion, as well as being adapted to be environmentally friendly relative to the prior art.

Current hydraulic pump and motor flange covers allow corrosion and damage along the machine surface as well as contamination inside the pump/motor through the entrance ports thereto. Plastic covers do not protect surface from corrosion, are not environmentally friendly when disposed of.

As can be seen, there is a need for an environmentally friendly hydraulic pump and motor flange cover adapted to prevent internal contamination, machine surface damage and corrosion. The present invention embodies pulp paper pressed into a flange cover form. This resulting flange cover form may be impregnated with corrosion preventive chemical and, separately, applied with corrosion preventive chemicals. The corrosion-preventive chemicals stop corrosion of the surface, while the pulp paper form protects the surface from mechanical damage, and seals ports for stymieing the infiltration of elements that can cause contamination. Furthermore, such pulp paper forms are disposable, marking an environmentally and cost improvement in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a flange cover for a hydraulic motor and or pump housing including the following: pulp paper formed in such a way so as to engage a flange of said housing along an outer surface thereof and occupy at least one port in said flange; and a corrosive preventative chemical infused in said pulp paper.

In another aspect of the present invention, the method includes infusing the following: forming a mass of pulp paper in such a way that a flange cover results, wherein the flange cover is dimensioned to engage a flange port of said housing along an outer surface thereof and occupy at least one port in said flange; and infusing the flange cover is a corrosive preventative chemical.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detailed section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a pulp paper formed flange cover adapted for protecting hydraulic motor/pump housing ports and openings and surrounding surfaces. The flange cover may be infused with corrosion-preventive chemicals to protect the housing from corrosion. Additionally, the flange cover protects the housing surface from damage while preventing infiltration of the openings of the housing by contaminants.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention may include a pulp paper blank formed and pressed into a flange cover 10 dimensioned to operatively seal a motor/pump port 22. The pulp paper flange cover 10 may be further processed through a bath of corrosion preventive chemicals 16. Specifically, the pulp paper flange 10 may be dimensioned and adapted to mount to a housing flange 20 of a housing 18 of a motor/pump for covering a housing opening 22 thereof. The chemically-infused pulp paper flange 10 protects the underlying surfaces of the pump/motor housing 18 against mechanical damage and corrosion, as wells prevents infiltration of contamination agents through the housing ports 22 when installed.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. The flange cover 10 may be molded in the same way pulp paper eggs cartons are made, especially in the formation of recessed cavities 12 or protrusions that snugly fit into the housing openings 22. The flange cover 10 must be formed to industry standard dimensions (i.e. SAE) and sent through bath of corrosion preventive chemical 16 to composed the chemical impregnated formed pulp paper flange cover 10.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The pulp paper flange cover 10 disclosed above may be provided. A fine mesh screen 14 dimensioned and adapted to engage an inward-facing surface of the pulp paper flange cover 10 (the inward-facing surface is understood to be disposed between the housing 18 and the housing 18, as illustrated in FIG. 2) may be provided.

A user may have the present invention installed during or after the manufacturing or servicing of the housing 18 of the motor/pump unit. Once installed, the motor/pump unit is protected from mechanical and surface corrosion damage, with the housing openings 22 sealed against contamination.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of making a flange cover for a hydraulic motor and or pump housing, comprising: forming a mass of pulp paper in such a way that a flange cover results, wherein the flange cover is dimensioned to engage a flange of said housing along an outer surface thereof and occupy at least one port in said flange.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: infusing said flange cover with a corrosive preventative chemical.
 3. A flange cover for a hydraulic motor and or pump housing, comprising: pulp paper formed in such a way so as to engage a flange of said housing along an outer surface thereof and occupy at least one port in said flange.
 4. The flange cover for a hydraulic motor and or pump housing of claim 3, further comprising a corrosive preventative chemical infused in said pulp paper. 